Wednesday, October 27. 2010

So you're in San Francisco for Halloween, and you're not entirely sure what to do? There are a ton of parties going on in just about every bar or club in the city. The Tortoise ballroom itself will be a pretty epic show of costumed debauchery.

But there is also a ton of stuff to do the day before to take advantage of Halloween American style, that means movies... horror movies!

As the director of Hostel and Cabin Fever, Eli Roth knows a thing or two about horror flicks. Well, behold ELI ROTH’S MIDNIGHT MOVIE MARATHON, a fundraiser event forCELLspace, the non-profit collaborative art center in the Mission, Cellspace is at 2050 Bryant St at 18th Street.

Tuesday, October 26. 2010

So we tend to have a rather warm August through October. In fact sometimes it gets downright hot. But what happens after that?

The rains are coming to San Francisco, "Oh no, whatever will we do?" I hear you saying. Maybe just a little under your breath. There is hope for you adventure seekers that don't want to get all muddled down with bad weather and bad attitudes.

Our Adventure Travel office is launching it's winter tours, one to Death Valley and one going down the coast to Baja. First of all the Death Valley trip is fantastic leaving Nov. 5th and 25th. You go out to enjoy a large desert that used to be a lake bed. When I went on this trip last year I was a little skeptical, I'm not a desert kinda guy really, but I had a fantastic time. The fact you go in the colder months means it's totally bearable to walk around in jeans and a t-shirt and not get too hot while the nights are good to get you not only cooled off and cozy, but ready to sit around a fire and have a great time with all the new friends you'll be making.

Or how about a nice drive down the coast of California and then further down into Mexico along the Baja panhandle leaving Nov. 19th. I have never met someone that had anything other than a great time come off this trip. It's not just a vacation, it's an adventure going down a truly beautiful trek to enjoy beaches and natural wonders galore.

Thursday, October 14. 2010

So the Treasure Island Music festival is cool and all. But if you're poor like me you might find it a bit much to handle. So what is there for all us cheapskates? Well if you like being adventurous, and if you've ever read a comic that made you laugh, think, or just generally feel good why not the Alternative Press Expo, or APE. It's basically a comic convention but for those lovable indie comic guru's. So for $10 you can check out a day in the life or for a measly $5 more ($15 for those of us that hate math) you can get a 2 day pass to this 2 day event. Saturday and Sunday will host a large collection of goodies as well as a number of artists and writers talking about the biz and such.

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16

12:00-1:00 Spotlight on Megan Kelso—A retrospective of the career so far of APE special guest Megan Kelso, beginning with her drawing minicomics in 1990 at the Evergreen State College during the early years of the DIY zine explosion. Kelso will talk about the phases she's gone through in her storytelling: college, sex, family, history, and homesickness, and how all these themes found their way into her acclaimed new graphic novel, Artichoke Tales. Marc Weidenbaum, whose career as a comics editor has paralleled her own, will ask questions along the way. Megan Kelso's appearance courtesy Fantagraphics Books.

1:00-2:00 The Bay Area Comics Scene Through the Years—The Bay area comics community has changed and progressed over the last 40 years, from the wild heyday of the '60s to the new generation of cartoonist doing comics today. This lively, freestyle discussion explores the Bay area's flourishing comics community. Panelists include Dylan Williams (Sparkplug comic publisher and founder of the seminal '90s comics collective Puppy Toss),Susie Cagle (up-and-coming cartoonist and part of the new Vibrate Bay Area comic scene), and others. Moderated by Thien Pham.

2:00-3:00 Spotlight on Daniel Clowes—Critically acclaimed, award-winning, bestselling cartoonist, Oscar-nominated screenwriter, and APE special guestDaniel Clowes will be in conversation with PictureBox publisher and Comics Comics editor Dan Nadel. They will discuss Clowes's most recent graphic novel, Wilson, published by Drawn & Quarterly. His current projects include both comics and film, and his backlist of titles include Ghost World, David Boring, and Ice Haven. The two will explore comics history, including Wally Wood, Peanuts, Will Elder, and others. Join one of the most preeminent cartoonists with one of the foremost comics scholars working today as they engage in a cerebral and fascinating discussion of Clowes's oeuvre.

3:00-4:00 Queer Cartoonists—LGBT cartoonists have always faced unique challenges and yet also offered unique perspectives. As queer stories move increasingly into the mainstream, what role do queer comics play, and are they helping the gay agenda take over the world? Join this dynamic panel -- in its seventh year at APE -- with a particularly diverse and fabulous line-up of cartoonists: APE special guest Tommy Kovac (Stitch), Jon Macy (Teleny and Camille), Desmond Miller (Hansel and Gretel: Agents of the Coven), Christine Smith (Eve's Apple), Rick Worley (A Waste of Time), Sean Z (Myth), and moderator Justin Hall (Glamazonia).

4:00-5:00 Spotlight on Lynda Barry—One of the most influential cartoonists of the past 30 years, APE special guest Lynda Barry has worked as a painter, cartoonist, writer, illustrator, playwright, editor, commentator, and teacher and has found they are all very much alike. With her publisher, Drawn & Quarterly, she launches her brand new book, the how-to/memoir/graphic novel Picture This, at APE. This uncategorizable book is the "how-to-draw" companion to the bestselling and Eisner Award–winning "how-to-write" bookWhat It Is. At this panel, Barry will explore Picture This in an engaging slide show that is sure to be standing room only, thanks to Barry's wildly enigmatic, popular, and hilarious stage presence, which not only commands the attention of every attendee but leaves them crying, laughing, and floored with inspiration. Seeing Barry in person is life changing!

5:00-6:00 Spotlight on Tony Millionaire—APE special guest Tony Millionaire, the mad genius behind Sock Monkey, Maakies, and Drinky Crow, talks with fellow APE special guest Renée French about his career in comics and his wild life. Here's a hint: Tony will be the one in the fancy tuxedo. The guy will really class up the joint.

6:00-7:00 Spotlight on Renée French—A conversation between APE special guest Renée French and publisher/comics historian Dan Nadel about Renée's new book, H Day. How does a cartoonist translate something as abstract as a migraine into the concrete form of a book? And why? Renée will talk about this challenge, her drawing process, and will briefly look back at her extraordinary career. Renée French appearance courtesy of PictureBox.

12:00-1:00 Writer's Old Fashioned—The Writer's Old Fashioned group is the latest in a long line of illustrious San Francisco–based comics movements and is proving to be one of the most dynamic. Originally a small group of comics writers who began meeting in 2006 to exchange ideas, provide feedback, and imbibe a few drinks, WOF has expanded to include some cartoonists, comics illustrators, and even teetotalers. Moderator Justin Hall(Glamazonia) will grill Kirsten Baldock (Smoke and Guns), Stephenny Godfrey(Panorama), Jason McNamara (Martian Confederacy), Matt Silady (The Homeless Channel), Emily Stackhouse (Brazilia Noir), and Storm (Princess Witch Boy) about their creative endeavors and drinking habits.

1:00-2:00 Spotlight on Tommy Kovac—Meet the writer of the acclaimedWonderland miniseries (from SLG and Disney Press) and the current hit The Royal Historian of Oz. APE special guest Tommy Kovac talks about writing new stories based on classic literature without having to totally reinvent the source material. (You can also ask him where Skelebunnies fits into the whole thing.) Moderated by APE founder and SLG honcho Dan Vado. Tommy Kovac appearance courtesy of SLG.

2:00–3:00 The Art of Storytelling—What role does art play in telling a story in comics format? Enjoy this discussion of art and comics with APE special guests Lynda Barry (What It Is), Renée French (H Day), and Megan Kelso(Artichoke Tales), plus Tom Neely (The Blot) and Jen Wang (Koko Be Good). Moderated by Greg Means (Tugboat Press).

3:00-4:00 Spotlight on Rich Koslowski: The Trials, Tribulations and (Sometimes) Triumphs of the Indie Comics World—For one hour APE special guest Rich Koslowski (The 3 Geeks, Three Fingers, BB Wolf and the 3 LPs) will "tell all" about his experiences in the comic book biz: the Good, the Bad and the Ugly! No questions will be dodged! Moderated by Gary Sassaman, the director of print and publications for Comic-Con and Koslowski's publishing partner in the fondly remembered Geeksville.

4:00-4:45 Indie Comics Survival Guide—Join 2010 Comic-Con Inkpot Awardwinner Keith Knight (the K Chronicles, Knight Life, (th)ink), as he once again gives you the lowdown on how to not only survive, but thrive in this ever-evolving industry we call COMICS! With Stephen Notley (Bob the Angry Flower), Mat Bors (editorial cartoonist for United Media), and C. Spike Trotman (Templar, AZ).

4:45-5:30 CBLDF: The Fight For Intellectual Freedom—More than 50 years after Frederic Wertham's Seduction of the Innocent, comics and other media still come under the attack of censors. Charles Brownstein, executive director of the CBLDF, is joined by cartoonist Keith Knight and other panelists for a discussion of current trends in comics censorship and how we all can get involved in protecting intellectual freedom.

So come on out to the expo and see what all the ape like fuss is about.

Thursday, October 7. 2010

Downtown Oakland Guided Walking Tours | Oakland

Every Wednesday and Saturday in October enjoy free 90-minute walking tours through Oakland’s downtown districts.

Choose from seven different tour itineraries:

City CenterTurn-of-the-century landmarks alongside modern high-rises are the focus of this tour. Explore the upbeat style of the modern City Center Square and discover a thriving “there” there. Examine symbols of Oakland’s arrival as a modern 20th century metropolis: the Beaux Arts-style City hall and Rotunda Building, the Tribune Tower, and the Art Deco-style Financial Center building.Meets in front of Oakland City Hall, One Frank H. Ogawa Plaza.Offered: Wed 10/6 & Sat 10/30

Uptown to the LakeA walking tour of the Uptown District with an emphasis on Art Deco! Tour includes the Paramount Theatre, Historic Sweet’s Ballroom, the Fox Theater and the Kaiser Center roof garden with views of Lake Merritt.Meets in front of the Paramount Theatre, 2025 Broadway.Offered: Sat 10/9

Preservation ParkA walking tour of a Victorian-era district adjacent to modern office towers. Sites include the historic First Unitarian Church, the Pardee Home Museum, and more than a dozen elegantly restored, 19th century houses — now serving as nonprofit offices, meeting rooms, and conference spaces — in a beautiful garden setting.Meets in front of Preservation Park, 13th Street and Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.Offered: Wed 10/27

Oakland ChinatownLearn about the contributions of Chinese and other Asian immigrants to the history of both California and the Bay Area. Stroll along sidewalk markets filled with fresh fish as well as exotic fruits and vegetables. View changing displays in the Oakland Asian Cultural Center.Meets in front of the Pacific Renaissance Plaza Fountain, 9th Street between Franklin and Webster streets.Offered: Wed 10/20

WaterfrontThe images of author Jack London will surround you as you tour the historic square and waterfront. Visit a turn-of-the-century wholesale produce district still in operation and see the USS Potomac, the restored yacht of President Franklin D. Roosevelt.Meets in front of the northwest corner of Broadway and Embarcadero Street.Offered: Sat 10/23

Churches & TemplesVisit historic places of worship and learn about their architecture and influence on the development of Oakland. Highlighted buildings include First Presbyterian, First Congregational, and First Christian churches as well as Temple Sinai.Meets in front of the First Presbyterian Church, Broadway at 27th Street.Offered: Wed 10/13

New Era | New PoliticsStroll through downtown and discover the places where Oakland African American leaders have made their marks. Learn how Lionel Wilson, Delilah Beasley, Robert Maynard, the Dellums family, Josephine Baker, and others changed the Bay Area and California.Meets in front of the African American Museum and Library at Oakland, 14th Street at Martin Luther King, Jr. Way.Offered: Sat 10/16

Green Film Night with Live Mermen Soundtrack | Crissy Field

Watch a pre-release outdoor screening at sunset with the Golden Gate Bridge in the background of the new film “Sanctuary in the Sea: A Gulf of the Farallones Experience” with a live concert by the Mermen performing the original soundtrack (6pm to 10pm). Free and open to the public. Directions

Arrive early for (11am to 4pm) and bring your picnic blanket towatch the Blue Angels airshow from the Sanctuary headquarters. Food and drinks will be available for purchase (Taco truck, Let’s Be Frank hot dogs, local beers on tap, sodas & more)

East Bay Underground Market | Oakland

ForageSF, the people behind the wildly popular “San Francisco Underground Market” are headed to Oakland on Saturday to throw the second East Bay Underground Market. There will be tons of new East Bay vendors, If you’ve never been to an Underground Market, think a farmers market, but at night, with music and drinks.

East Bay Underground Market IIWhere: Parking lot at the corner of 24th/Broadway in OaklandWhen: Saturday October 9th from 5-11pmAdmission: $2*

* In order to enter the market, we’re going to ask everyone to sign up for a free membership to the Underground Market. Don’t worry, it’s just a formality. If you’ve signed up in the past for the SF Underground Market, no need to re-apply.